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We've done stories before on dogs sniffing out diseases their owners didn't even know they had. Now a little terrier named Kiko has one-upped all of them: He went ahead and performed surgery. Kind of.
According to a bizarre story reported in The Grand Rapids Press, Kiko smelled an infection in his owner's right big toe and set about "amputating" it. Which in doggie terms, of course, means he ate it. All the while, Kiko's owner, Jerry Douthett of Rockford, Mich., lay passed-out drunk in his bed. (We told you it was bizarre.)
Video: Thanks to 32-ounce margarita, Jerry Douthett says he felt 'no pain'
Douthett awoke to find a bloody stump where his big toe used to be, and he and his wife rushed to Spectrum Health in Grand Rapids, Mich. There, they discovered Douthett actually had type 2 diabetes and was suffering from a dangerous infection in his big toe. Doctors finished the job Kiko had started, and amputated what was left of his toe.
Douthett's wife, Rosee, a registered nurse, had actually suspected her husband had diabetes and insisted he get checked out. But before he did so, he had a few beers. And then a few margaritas. After that, he went home, passed out, and Kiko got to work. Weird story, but Bruce Rossman, a media relations manager at Spectrum Health, confirms that it's true.
Do you credit your own pet with saving your life? Tell us about it in the comments.
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wow that is so wierd...and evern worse...he didnt wake up!! wow
I suspect the nerves were shot in the toe and he had little feeling to begin with. Add the alcohol and ...no pain!
What's sad is that everyone is posting their favorite 'hero pet' story. What is even more sad is, here is a guy with a disease called alcoholism that is now causing deadly health problems. I guarantee he will not do anything about the diabetes and will die from it. It would have been more heroic of the dog to drag him to an AA meeting.
Hmmmm........ how long was the dog with out food????? for sure I would protect some important part of my body if I even decide to keep a dogg that eat part of me........
I have a tale I'd like to share with you all about my struggles as a youth. Its a tale of the trials and tribulations of a youth coming of age and becoming a man. This is a story all about how My life got flipped-turned upside down. And i liked to take a minute, jut sit right there. And tell you how I became the prince of a town called Bel Air.
In west Philadelphia born and raised, on the playground was where i spent most of my days. Chillin out, maxin, relaxin all cool. And shootin some b-ball outside of the school. When a couple of guys, who were up to no good! Started makin trouble in my neighborhood.
I got in one lil fight and my mom got scared. She said your movin with your auntie and uncle in Bel Air. I begged and pleaded with her, day after day. But she packed my suitcase and sent me on my way. She gave me a kiss and then she gave me my ticket so i put my walkman on and said i might as well kick it.
I pulled up to the house about 7 or 8. And i yelled to the cab "Yo holmes! Smell ya later!" I looked at my kingdom, I was finally there! To sit on my throne as the Prince of Bel Air
My Golden Retriever, Buster, who is now deceased, discovered my breast cancer. Over the years of getting a mammogram, having to have it repeated, and then being told, it's just cysts, I became lax in getting my mammograms. I went three years without one,
One night my hubby and I were in the bedroom with the dogs and I was sitting on a loveseat at the foot of the bed when Buster jumped up. He never got on the furniture, but before I could get him down, he strongly pushed his nose against the top of my right breast...I could not get him to stop. Finally my husband came and physically lifted him down. He immediately jumped right back up and pressed his nose firmly against the exact same spot, relentlessly. My husband asked how long it had been since my mammogram and I told him 3 years, I had been ignoring the notices to come for my yearly check. He then told me he had seen a program where dogs can detect cancer. They placed individuals prostrate on a floor, let the dog in and they would smell the person and zero in on the cancerous area. I told him not to worry, that even though I had had cervical cancer, there was absolutely no history of breast cancer in either side of my family so it wasn't even a remote chance. Now, I have to stop here and tell everyone that it is a myth that you have a greater chance if it's in your family. The fact was, at that time, a family history is present less than 15% of the time and I believe that percentage is even lower now. My point is do those self exams and get those mammograms...no one should go unchecked. So, back for a mammogram, and a second one that showed the tumor in the exact spot Buster focused on. So even the radiologist had to check a second time to find it, but Buster knew exactly where it was. By the way, I did not mention the experience with Buster to the technician.
Soooooo? What's the point besides some interesting writing skills?
This man is just lucky his pickled liver was not sick. Kiko would be in big trouble. I have heard of dogs being heroes but trying to make a hero out of one that just ate my toe is not something even I would buy. Of course if the dog did free plastic surgery as I slept I'd keep him.
I think daddy needs to slow down on the drinking before Kiko decides what his next meal may be.
Why? We have to live on the society full in ignorant people
They need go back to School to learn no too chase the petty girl to count the point
We are alive because the mother natural secret , and till now it is a lot we have to learn about our sorrunded
in earth
I had a cat when I was younger that alerted my parents to a fire in the house by scratching at their door until they woke up. If it hadn't been for that cat, who know how long that fire would have gone on before someone woke up. All the bedroom doors were closed and the fire was one floor down on the other side of the house. God bless you Gizmo, wherever you are!
I hope for the man's sake, that he never comes down with a urinary tract infection and passes out!
I gotta call BS on this one. And the wife must be some crackerjack nurse. "Um maybe you should get that foul rotting toe looked at. It smells like snausages."
A similar thing happnd to me. I got a bacterial infection in my finger when I scratched it on a barnicle in the sound. The dr. calld it cellulitus and my finger was basically rotting from the inside out. It was horrible there was nothing they could do except antibiotics.. looking back they shouldve given me some pain pills at too. Anyways, after a couple of days of suffering and bed rest, I remember lying there in excruciating pain listening to my heart pound when I fealt a tugging at my hand. It kinda fealt good and I was half uncontious so I just laid there and went with it. My cocker spaniel was chewing my finger, he was a nasty little guy he loved to raid the trash for tampons n diapers (discusting I know). When he was done chewing and pulling I felt instantly better the clear purple infectious finger was gone and a new little pink finger was revealed. He ate the funk and as far as im concerned saved my finger any worse and they wouldve amputated it im sure. My fresh new little finger grew back just fine kinda like that scene from swampthing when his finger regrows n the light
My amazing little Chinese Crested, Admiral Kevin Schinkenspeck, would always jump onto the couch and frantically nuzzle my hips, legs and sides. A few times, he would whimper at me ecstatically and cover his eyes with his tiny little paws; even opening his mouth real wide and sticking one little paw into it. After doing this for years, I finally took notice that something maybe wrong. One day, he took off his little Admiral's hat, poked my sides like he usually does and then suddenly started playing dead. This disturbed me enough to quickly go see a doctor. So a few weeks later, I picked up my walking stick, hobbled over to my scooter and slowly rode it over to the emergency room since it has the speediest service. It turned out I had major cases of cellulite, skin tags and body dandruff in those areas, along with a thick layer of hair covering most of my body. The doctor said that my adipose displacement in those areas put me at high risk for being extremely overweight, with a 94% chance that I was already morbidly obese. This shocked me so much that I decided to get a second opinion. After she confirmed what my previous doctor had said with 99.8% accuracy (from her calculations), I decided to move to Seattle and go to the University of Washington so I could fit in with other people of my kind. Sadly, Admiral Kevin Schinkenspeck passed away from Asphyxiation recently due to me sitting on him in attempt to have him stay ...he kept trying to run to the Cougars side of the stadium where all the beautiful people were
Oh poor little Admiral Kevin Schinkenspeck! What heroic ugly little dog you had. Thank you for that inspiring story. Might I suggest that for your next pet you invest in a couple of bull mastiff's so that they can pull your chariot a little faster :)
That is so gross I can't believe this made the news.
This is just disgusting!
NickfromCT:
You can tell from this story regarding one night of drinking that he is an alcoholic? Please explain...
Further, are we ever going to acknowledge that alcoholism is a choice not a disease? What's the obsession with calling everything a disease other than the obvious - prescribable, money making treatment.
We're not really here to help people deal with their problems (habits, addictions, depression, boredom) but to make money off them. What a lie!
Hey everyone, this inspired me to write a song about about this momentus occasion. Please check it out here, thanks! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsmDgYruDEo
Please watch my video about this news story!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsmDgYruDEo
This is CRAZINESS!!!
@yeslek- I know right! I guess beer is the best anesthesia!
...OK... we know the drunk is fine (they always are)... but how is the dog after EATING an infected big toe?
Ick! Too bad the dog didn't just chew it off and spit it out.
Ewwwwww!!
we adopted a kitten that was fairly feral. She took to our younger son then he went off to college, she decided that I was worthy. I suffer from insulin dependent diabetes and keep myself busy with a lot of volunteer work. I was running late for a meeting & was trying to get out the door, but Macie set up such a holler & parked herself between me & the door. She was inconsolable. I checked her food & made sure that she had plenty of water. In frustration, I put my hand to my head which was wet with sweat, classic sign of too much insulin. As soon as I got my kit out, she shut up, twitched her tail, & walked away. Sometimes my sugar can just plummet without my realizing it. It was already low enough that it would have been too dangerous to be behind the wheel. She has awakened my husband twice since in the night alerting him to me slipping into a coma. Think I'm grateful that we rescued her. She's rescued me at least 3 times.
My dogs have let me know too many times to count that my husband was in trouble because of low blood sugars. If I don't come when they bark and want me to follow them, they get behind me an nudge me on. We have 3 Norwegian Elk Hounds. They have awoken me at night and come to get me if my husband is outside. He does the same as you, plummets very fast.
How awesome!!
Animals deserve to inherit the earth...they deserve it so much more than we do!
I have two dogs, brother and sister, that have saved my life more times than I can count. Talk about devoted. No one in my family can question the love my pets have for me and I for them! I suffer from Major Depressive Disorder Severe Recurring and even though I am on several medications for it an episode can trigger without warning (hence the Recurring part of the disease name). An unexpected episode can be so severe it can send me into such a deep depression that I can become suicidal very quickly. I have a very strong medication I can take when this happens, but it takes anywhere from 30 to 45 minutes to metabolize. My male is so in tune with me that he knows before I do when an episode is beginning. When this happens he gets so close to me I think he is trying to climb inside my skin and he won't leave me and his sister will join him. I have learned to recognize his behavior and immediately take my emergency meds. They both stay with me until the meds stabilize me, then back to life as usual.
My point is that without them I probably would have been dead a long time ago at my own hand. This is not something I want or desire to do, it is simply the effect of the disease. I feel very blessed to have my dogs!!
my mini rat was the same way. i would be dropping fast and out of it and he would nibble on my lower lip til i woke and took care of it. i got a cat and she was my chest monitor. no need for battery run mechanisms when you have animals who love you.
Good Doggie! I hope this guy gets his diabetes under control though; there's no telling what else the dog might want to chew off!
eeeeewhooo!
Had a Black Lam named "SAM" he spent most od the day on my bed, he was 12 at the time, One day he kept butting me on the Left side of my stomach, this went on for 5-6 weeks. On a Sunday night I wasn't feeling good but thought it was from dinner. Sam kept prodding me all night and finally at 4AM he had kept waking me up, I got up and was in pain as soon as I straighten upright. WOW that hurt and finally at 7 am I woke my wife with the dog jumping sticking his nose in my left side, she suggested the ER just to be safe. Well to shorten things they did Xrays CAT scans and Doppler, and saw a TUMOUR the sixe of a peach in my left kidney. I had surgery within-in 4 hours and it was cancer. Thanks to Sam who past away 1 year later I probally wouldn't be writ ting this. Listen to your pets.
Why would you not go see a doctor, if you had pain when you straightened up. I would be more impressed if the dog had notified you of this tumor 6 months earlier. I do not see how Sam can be given credit for a lesion which was symptomatic.
Old didn't have pain until 5-6 weeks AFTER Sam starting nudging him. I'd say it's pretty damn impressive that the dog knew something was wrong before the symptoms ever started. Nice of you to try to tarnish the memory of Old's beloved friend, though.
Gross!
Our pets are our best freinds
Honestly, sometimes I would much rather hang out with my cats than most people! : )
I have a reoccurring problem with a toe. This has been going on for 2 years. Drs have tried everything to no avail. 2 months ago my beagle starting licking it complusively. Yep- It's now healed! I am slightly ashamed and have trouble talking about this with anyone because I really do understand the gross out factor. But- hey . . .
It has been proven that dogs saliva can heal. No shame in what you guardian angle does for you.
Hey! I had plantar warts on the bottom of my feet for years, tried everything to get rid of them, short of surgery, to no avail. Got a puppy, he started licking the bottom of my feet constantly, and guess what? Yep-no more warts. I don't think it's gross at all - I think it is AMAZING!
Must be a real party when you people take your shoes off! Phew stinky!
I used to work a sweaty job wearing sneakers, with no socks.
When I'd come home and take my shoes off, my brother's dog would lick my toes clean, wrapping his long tongue around each individual toe, even going so far as to clean under the nails by gently gnawing at them!
My brother would get so pissed, but it was Heaven! And the dog seem to enjoy it so....
BTW, the whole time I was typing that story I was laughing uncontrollably at the thought of people reading it.
Hey Horace (aka Commander Hygiene) we ain't laughing we is PUKING ! Yuk!
Hey Horrace that was horrid. You siko
Dog saliva is awesome! Any cut my dog licks heals twice as fast as normal. They really should research dog saliva!
Can I borrow your dog? My wife's "cut" needs to be smaller anyway. Oh, I'm sorry, you didn't misspell that word did you?
I would feal worst going to non experienced podietrist forr surgery anyways if I had a toes problem, They are not as good as a regular surgeons/specialistst are the proper norm for the field of feet doctors not the usuall podietrists sorry about that but.... or even using your dog for them.
I better not let my dog CLYDE find out about KIKO he might misdiagnose me and chew off my toe!
Nick-
Please do not make broad assumptions about Podiatrists. My husband has been a foot and ankle surgeon/specialist for almost 25 years and is by far the most knowledgeable and technically proficient physician I have ever worked with in my 15+ years as an RN. Most Podiatrists will do everything they can to preserve their patients' limbs and only cut things off as a last resort. They are as well educated and credentialed as other physicians and absolutely are specialist in the field of the foot and ankle.
Thank You,
Proud Podiatry Wife
i have worked with a couple amazing podiatrist and i can tell you that they are great surgeons. they do everything possible not to amp. a toe but people don't listen to their doctors, so......
and they are doctors, they specialize in a specific feild. always see a podiatrist when something is wrong with your feet!
I hope your do not believe the foolishness one of the politicians spewed about how knife happy doctors are supposed to be, happily lopping off limbs like a berserk tree trimmer.
Although, if you are speaking of the "doctors" trained in Cuba, you might have a point. A podiatrist there is (from what I've read) not trained in other things, like how to diagnose diabetes or any of the other problems that foot trouble is merely a symptom of.
Good dog.
Strange he didnt wake up! You think with the pain he would? Unless the toe was dead already and rotting, then he wouldnt feel anything. Ewww thats gross. Anyway, It goes to show how perceptive animals are. Hope he got a doggy biscuit to wash that Big Toe down! lol
It's a good thing he didn't have gonorrhea.
my thoughts exactly.
ha ha ha!!!! You made my day!!
LOL
Wife a nurse?-Not a very good one. Liquor it up-probably passed out for days and the dog didn't have food so he ate festering flesh. Gross all around. Oh no, according to the professionals-once they taste flesh-they never return to dog chow-better put that dog to sleep or never indulge or sleep yourself again.
Troll is obvious
Might be a good nurse - but we all know how stubborn people can get about going to the doctor. She said she thought he had diabetes, which means she recognized the signs and symptoms. :)
I can't imagine.
A few months ago my little terrier kept bumping up against my right side - she just wouldn't leave me alone. I had some pain but nothing much. However, she was driving me nuts constantly pawing, and jumping up at my right side. When the pain increased a bit I decided to go to the Doctors - something I never do. Turns out it was my appendix, it ruptured and for some strange reason (probably cos it was embedded in my bowel) I didn't feel the agonising pain most do. I very nearly died on the operating table and from infection. I probably wouldn't have bothered seeking help so soon if it wasn't for the dog driving me nuts. As soon as I came home from the hospital she was totally normal and relaxed with me again.
What I want to know is how did the guy get home after being in such a drunkin stuper that he slept through DR. Kiko's surgery. Maybe the dog drove him home so he wouldn't get a DUI. What a dog!!!
What I want to know is how did the guy get home after being in such a drunkin stuper that he slept through DR. Kiko's surgery. Maybe the dog drove him home so he wouldn't get a DUI. What a dog!!!
Affordable Health Care!
sorry but i disagree
i have been a medical provider for 37 years and health care system has gone to the dogs HAHAHA LOL>>>he got great health care ... this dog saved this guyfrom MRSA and a long hosptial stay.this mute can chew on my paws ( haha)anyday.if the guy had gone (dummy that he is ) to some clinic they would have given him neosporin cream and sent him packing... these clinics are not well managed. stay at home and let our pets take care of us..... obama health care or not.
What I want to know is how did the guy get home after being in such a drunkin stuper that he slept through DR. Kiko's surgery. Maybe the dog drove him home so he wouldn't get a DUI. What a dog!!!
I think he needs to get his drinking problem checked out as well. If you are passed out to the point you don't know you are having body parts removed its time to put down the bottle.
Diabetes causes nerve damage which is why he didn't feel the dog chewing on his toe or even that he had the infection.
Diabetes may have caused the nerve damage that prevented him from feeling the pain. He still needs to get his drinking problem under control. Alcohol breaks down to sugar and is nothing for a diabetic to be indulging in to the point of passing out. This dog may have saved his life in two ways if this becomes a wake up call to address the excessive drinking.
I agree that this man should get his drinking problem solved as well as get checked for Diabetes. I am concerned as to why his wife, the Nurse, did not make him go to the Doctor to get checked out. I would certainly know if my husband had a rotting toe & I am not a nurse. As far as the dog is concerned, a check-up with the Veternarian is in order. Don't knock the ability of what our beloved pets are capable of, they are amazing & should not be ignored when their behavior is out of the ordinary. Animals are capable of saving lives & should be appreciated for that ability.
Nine out of ten dogs recommend fast acting Tenacton over the leading brand of antifungal medicine.
Wow! That's totally made my morning! Thanks lost poet. :-)
HHHAAAA HHAAA!!! Funny!!! Thanks u made my day too.
Too bad Kiko was the tenth dog!
His diabetes must have been very bad since he had neuropathy (no feeling and nerve damage) in his feet. His toe was gangerous or very early stages and he would have no feeling in it, you can do surgery on a gangerous section and have no pain. This guy must have been really drunk because it took some time for this little dog to do this, he definately has alcohol problems.
As sickening as it is (dog eating a rotten toe) he did a good deed. I've read many stories about dogs smelling an infection or tumor in people, it's their great sense of smell, people just have to start paying more attention to their dog's attempt to communicate with their owners.
cool story! Everyone should have a dog...they really are man's best friend. :)
Either that, or (if you can't have one or don't want one) a cat. Some cats will do something similar.